I’ve been lucky to see some amazing Rossini divas as Angelina, including Cecilia Bartoli, Jennifer Larmore, Joyce DiDonato and Elina Garanča, all at the Met. In other houses, I particularly liked Agnes Balsta when I saw her in London — brilliantly sung with absolutely no interest in being lovable or charming in the role. One of the best Angelina’s I saw over the years was the Argentinian contralto, Norma Lerer. She sang the role with the Portland Opera and the Portland production then travelled for a run at the Seattle Opera with the same cast. She had a haunting quality to her voice, and was technically superb.

My favorite Angelina, however, is one I never got to see live. In 1971, when I was 11 years old, Deutsche Grammophon released a complete recording of the opera conducted by Claudio Abbado. Teresa Berganza starred along with Luigi Alva, Renato Capecchi, and Paolo Montarsolo.

Berganza’s Cinderella was simultaneously moving and dazzling. Her voice was so distinctive — velvety, smokey, and creamy. Her coloratura had a machine gun like precision, but without sounding mechanical. The line was never sacrificed to get the job done; no phrase was ever shortchanged. On the recording, she was exciting in that intangible way that makes a star a star, whether it is in Hollywood or on the opera stage.

So, cheers to Teresa Berganza, a Cenerentola for the ages. Along with the 1971 commercial recording, I wanted to also share with everyone a rare live recording of the diva from a complete performance in 1967 at the Teatro Colon. Berganza delivers a spectacular performance, and the huge ovation she receives at the end of “Nacqui all’affanno… Non più mesta” provides just a glimpse of its magnitude and how she electrified the audience. Brava La Berganza!